How to Find the Best EV Charger

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About EV chargers

Choosing the best electric vehicle (EV) charger is an important part of EV ownership because charging at home is cheaper than using public charging stations. We found the best EV chargers with a variety of features to fit your charging needs. Regardless of your budget or desired features, these Level 2 EV chargers can be a good fit for you. 

EV charging Levels

EV chargers come in three Levels: 1, 2, or 3. Level 1 is the slowest charging, Level 2 is what most EV owners rely on, and Level 3 is typically for commercial use. 

All of the best EV chargers of 2022 are Level 2. They provide a partial charge in a few hours and a full charge overnight. Level 2 chargers can be hardwired or plugged into a NEMA 14-30, 14-50, or 6-50 outlet. These receptacles are the ones your home uses for stoves and dryers, which are larger and support more amps. 

*Due to testing limitations, our team does not have firsthand experience with EV chargers. However, the facts and reviews explained on SaveOnEnergy.com come from proprietary data, solar pricing from Berkeley Lab, and extensive research by our in-house team. We are confident in our product reviews and guidelines for our valued readers through analysis from these sources.

Best EV chargers

• ChargePoint Home Flex
• Clipper Creek HCS-40
• Grizzl-E Duo
• JuiceBox 40
• Tesla Wall Connector Gen 3
• Wallbox Pulsar Plus

Comparison of the best EV chargers

*Prices accurate at time of publication. Price does not include installation. 

Reviews of the best EV home chargers

ChargePoint Home Flex

Fast facts:

• Works with all EVs
• 3-year warranty 
• Features include Bluetooth, mobile App, and Alexa compatibility 

The accompanying ChargePoint smartphone app includes helpful features such as setting times to charge during cheaper Time Of Use (TOU) rates. The app can also send reminders to plug in your EV and is compatible with Alexa voice commands.

The ChargePoint Home Flex plugs into a 240-volt charging station or it can be hardwired. Many newer homes are built with 240-volt receptacles in the garage in preparation for the future of EVs. Otherwise, professional installation of a 240-volt outlet can run around $300, according to The Spruce. Hardwiring an EV charger is better for outside hook-ups that will be exposed to the weather and are more expensive to install. 

Fans of this Level 2 charger tout its Bluetooth capability and 23-foot charging cord that stays flexible in colder weather. Bluetooth lets you use smart features (like setting reminders, etc.) without using Wi-Fi. 

What we like: Useful app features for home or on-the-go charging.

What to consider: Among the more expensive EV home charging options. 

Clipper Creek HCS-40

Fast facts:

• Works with all EVs
• 3-year warranty 
• Basic features for easy charging 

The unique feature of this most popular Clipper Creek EV charger is that it doesn’t have a lot of features. This charger forgoes apps, Bluetooth, and other techy add-ons in favor of a straightforward charging experience. 

The Clipper Creek HCS-40 does have 32 Amps to add approximately 31 miles of range per charging hour, a 25-foot charging cable, and ENERGY STAR certification, which means it meets government standards for energy efficiency. This charger is rated for indoor or outdoor use. 

If you prefer not to have a hardwired EV charger, you can opt for similar Clipper Creek models that use a 14-50 or 6-50 plug. 

What we like: Fewer features mean fewer things to break or malfunction. 

What to consider: If you want upgraded features in the future, you will need to invest in a different charger.

Grizzl-E Duo

Fast facts:

• Works with all EVs and Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) sold in North America 
• Choice of 3 or 5-year warranty 
• Made for charging two EVs at once

Grizzl-E Duo has two 24-foot cables that can charge two EVs simultaneously using power-sharing technology that balances the current between two vehicles. This charger has a max power output of 40 Amps for one vehicle when one charging cable is in use. If both EV charging cables are plugged in, the max power output for one vehicle is 32 Amps because 8 Amps is reserved for the other vehicle. 

The Grizzl-E Duo doesn’t have smart features such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The charger can withstand temps from -22℉ to 122℉, making the Grizzl-E Duo great for indoor or outdoor use.

What we like: Great for households with multiple EVs.

What to consider: You won’t find smart features or app compatibility with this charger.

JuiceBox 40

Fast facts:

• Works with all EVs 
• 3-year warranty 
• Features include Bluetooth, JuiceNet App, and Alexa compatibility 

The JuiceBox EV charger line is unique because of the Enel X JuicePoints program (where available). The program lets JuiceNet plan your charging schedule based on the cheapest energy rates, which earn you points that can be redeemed for cash through PayPal. The JuiceBox line of EV chargers also has an accompanying free JuiceNet app to monitor charging, set reminders, and control other charger functions.

JuiceBox 40 powers up to 40 Amps, can be used indoors or outdoors with its 25-foot cable and is ENERGY STAR certified. While this model works with a 14-50 plug, JuiceBox also makes chargers that use a 6-50 plug or are hardwired. The price for those alternatives is currently $50 more than the JuiceBox 40. 

What we like: JuiceBox offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

What to consider: Some Amazon reviewers reported problems connecting to Wi-Fi. 

Tesla Wall Connector Gen 3

Fast facts:

• Works with all Tesla EV models 
• 48-month (4-year) warranty (when included with original Tesla vehicle purchase)
• Features include Wi-Fi

Tesla recommends using the Tesla Wall Connector because it offers the fastest home-charging option for Tesla vehicles. However, a Tesla can also be charged with most Level 2 EV chargers when using a J1772 Adapter (which comes standard with a Tesla vehicle purchase).

The charger has a 24-foot cable, Wi-Fi, and is rated for indoor or outdoor use. Use the Tesla app to manage a charging schedule and set which vehicles can use the charger.

What we like: Cheap EV charger price point. 

What to consider: If you want to charge non-Tesla EVs, you will need an adapter. 

Wallbox Pulsar Plus

Fast facts:

• Works with all EVs 
• 3-year warranty 
• Features include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, or Google Assistant

Two features set the Wallbox Pulsar Plus apart from other EV chargers. It’s one of the smallest chargers available, so if you want to save space in your garage, the compact Wallbox Pulsar Plus could be a good fit. This charger packs a lot into its small size, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and voice-assistant compatibility. You can control these features and monitor energy use in the Wallbox App.

The other unique feature of the Pulsar Plus is that it allows you to set more than one block of charging time to coordinate with TOU rates. This feature can be helpful if your energy plan has more than one period of reduced rates, such as nights and weekends. 

The Pulsar Plus can be installed indoors or outdoors and comes with a 25-foot cable. Chargers purchased directly from Wallbox, Amazon, Walmart, or Newegg come with a 30-day return window. 

What we like: Small installation footprint. 

What to consider: The charger is controlled through the app, so reliable Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is vital. 

Why charge at home?

Charging at home can be done overnight as to not interfere with standard work hours. Plus, charging at nights or on weekends at home aligns with when TOU electric rates tend to be the least expensive. Some electricity providers, such as TXU Energy and Pulse Power, even offer electric plans with free nights and weekends, which may appeal to EV owners. Check with your local utility or energy provider for additional rebates or discounts. 

How often will you need to charge your EV? According to the Fuel Institute EV Consumer Behavior Report, “EV drivers tend to recharge daily or once every two days, typically overnight at home, and overall, about 70-80% of charging occurs at home or at a workplace parking lot.” 

For EV owners who don’t charge at home, reasons include cost and uncertainty around the installation. According to Statista, the reasons for not charging at home include:

• Cost of installing is prohibitive: 44%
• No possibility to install: 26%
• Not sure how to install: 17%
• Not interested in installing: 13%

How to find the right EV charger for you

Consider the following factors when selecting the right EV charger for you.  

• Price. Is the charger in your budget?
• Amps. How many Amps do you want? More Amps can charge faster but could require alterations to your home wiring. 
• Features. Do you want additional features like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth?
• Hardwired or plug-in. Hardwired chargers may cost more to install. 
• Durability/reliability. What is the company’s policy for returns and warranty claims?

*The products featured here are independently selected based on thorough research from our editorial team. If you buy something through links on our site, we may receive a commission.